Donald Trump may propose a "peace plan" for Ukraine that includes a twenty-year commitment to refrain from joining NATO and a "freeze" on the front without the return of lost territories.
According to The Wall Street Journal, this strategy is not final, and Trump will have to make a decision on his own. Under this plan, which has been discussed within Trump's team, Kyiv may be compelled to delay its aspirations to join NATO for an extended period.
The United States will continue to provide Ukraine with weaponry intended to help deter potential aggression from Russia. Additionally, the front line could be frozen with the establishment of a demilitarized zone, the control of which remains a topic for discussion. One option includes the involvement of European peacekeeping forces to ensure stability in the region.
However, the strategy of such a "freeze" faces numerous challenges. The main issue lies in the unwillingness of both Ukraine and Russia to compromise on their objectives. Ukraine is striving for the complete restoration of its territorial integrity, while Moscow shows readiness for escalation.
Nonetheless, Trump's team believes that given Kyiv's significant dependence on U.S. military and financial assistance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can be persuaded of the merits of negotiations. However, this decision will likely face considerable resistance within Ukraine, where territorial concessions may be viewed as capitulation to Moscow.
"We can provide training and other support, but the barrel of the gun will be European. We are not sending American men and women to support peace in Ukraine. And we will not pay for it. Let the Poles, Germans, British, and French take care of that," said one member of Trump's team.
Source: wsj.